Supplied-Air Respirators - They're a Breeze to Use

PPE is important and so is protecting your respiratory health with the correct personal protective equipment. Filter respirators are light, practical, easy to use and often a good choice of personal breathing protection. But there are work environments where filter respirators cannot or must not be worn, and an alternative must be found. These factors include:

If you can’t engineer out the hazard, and if you can’t filter the air, there is only one alternative: you have to bring clean air with you. This can be done by carrying an air cylinder (self-contained breathing apparatus or SCBA), or by breathing clean air through a hose from a remote air compressor.

Both respirator systems have advantages and drawbacks. For instance, an SCBA provides an extremely high level of protection, but has a limited supply of air, which restricts the operating time. It is also a demand-type respirator that requires you to wear a tight-fitting face piece. On the other hand, while supplied-air systems deliver a continuous flow of air so you can use loose-fitting hoods and helmets, long breathing hoses may limit your mobility and range.

When it comes to supplied-air respirators, the Sundström range of products offers a wide choice of both loose and tight-fitting head-tops, such as hoods, helmets, shields, visors and masks, along with hoses and regulators that allow users not only to have a continuous flow of safe breathing air, but also to connect air-driven tools. Moreover, the Sundström range includes welding hoods and airline filters that remove pollutants, oil mist, moisture and odours from the breathing air.

Sundström products are a great addition to your PPE kit and are available from RSEA. Advice on supplied air and how to set up a fixed airline system can be obtained through your local RSEA Safety Store or from your Safety Specialist. For more information please contact us via our web form or call 132 100.